1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Steering gear box leaking, reseal or how much for new?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2005 | 11:44 AM
  #1  
pwrtripls1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX off north Mason Road.
Question Steering gear box leaking, reseal or how much for new?

The stearing gear box is leaking at a steady rate. It doesnt matter wether you drive it all day or not, the next day you have to add 1/3 QT to it. The power stearing pump is fine and not leaking, but the gearbox is in a couple places.

Thanks for any help.
Reply
Old May 28, 2005 | 09:11 PM
  #2  
Jim5870's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 792
Likes: 30
From: Ontario, CANADA
I once put a rebuilt box on my truck because the original was worn and had too much play.

The rebuilt unit lasted about 16 months before all the play came back.

The second time I put on a new one from the dealer, it was more expensive
but at least it's lasting now.

Another maintenance tip I would recommend is to get one of those vacuum type oil extractors
and get into the habit of extracting the power steering pump resevoir oil and refilling with
new steering fluid along with doing the engine oil change.
Reply
Old May 28, 2005 | 09:39 PM
  #3  
DODGE 92's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: NEW BRUNSWICK
CHEAP TRICK as wat i see you paid 500$ so i dont think you want to put to much $ in it try emptying the oil and put 15w40 instead steering will be a little harder but youll only fill it once a full moon it worked on mine oil is thicker so less leak i used to fill mine once a week now once every 3 months
Reply
Old May 29, 2005 | 12:13 AM
  #4  
FrdRdnk's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
If the box is already shot, you could try some sort of stop leak additive. I personally don't like em in something that's not totally fried only to hold something over until the funds arrive. Just my two cents worth. Or maybe it's only half a cent it's really late now for me.
Reply
Old May 29, 2005 | 02:08 AM
  #5  
Bushy's Avatar
Patron Saint of 1st gens
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia, Canada
Were is it leaking?????.....if it is leaking at the stub shaft seal or the pinion shaft you can get a seal kit from DC for it.
I did my stub shaft seal repair when I put the Borgeson shaft on about 2 years back and it's still dry and tight.

pb.....
Reply
Old May 29, 2005 | 07:24 AM
  #6  
timb's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Winston Oregon
I dont know how you are as a mechanic. but when mine started leaking out the shaft seals and had a lot of play. I bought a rebuild kit and completely rebuilt it. the kit has everything in it to rebuild the piston packing, o-rings, and the shaft seals. If you watch what your doing when taking it apart, it goes pretty easy. but you will need a ring compressor to get the packing int the box without tearing it. the plus side to rebuilding the one that you have is it only costs about 35.00 bucks. and you know that the whole box has been rebuilt.
Reply
Old May 29, 2005 | 08:13 AM
  #7  
pwrtripls1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX off north Mason Road.
From what i could see watching it while i had someone turn the wheel back and forth its about 2 drips a second coming out of the input shaft. I may try and find an auto parts store open today and get that seal. There isnt all that much slack in the stearing, so I may try reseal first.

Thanks for the help guys.
Reply
Old May 30, 2005 | 01:59 AM
  #8  
Bushy's Avatar
Patron Saint of 1st gens
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia, Canada
Ok, if it's dripping/leaking from the "input" shaft that is called the stub shaft. DC has the repair kit I mentioned and you can do it yourself without too much difficulty.
You'll need a drift pin, ballpeen hammer, drill, 1/8" drill bit a couple of drywall screws or good wood screws, a small jimmy bar, vise grips and, a flat blade screwdriver.

That will get you thru the job in decent time. The drill and screws are for removing the old seal with is in there pretty tight.

pb....
Reply
Old May 30, 2005 | 09:17 AM
  #9  
pwrtripls1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX off north Mason Road.
I did that little "add some 15w40 to it" trick and it worked.

It was really low as usual yesterday, so i put in about half a qt of 15w40 and it hasnt leaked a noticible amount yet.


BUT, i did notice the oil cooler has a pin hole leak and is slowly leaking coolant. It looks to be leaking on one of the rusted metal lines. I'll just replace it with regular tubing.

I swear all these little jobs would cost alot if i didnt have a garage full from my other projects.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
honobiahunter
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
2
Apr 28, 2015 05:51 PM
Ogrebonz
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
3
Jul 4, 2014 06:39 PM
nvr-enuf
3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007
1
Apr 23, 2013 01:29 PM
BIGROD
HELP!
9
Aug 13, 2008 12:51 PM
bridleman
Performance and Accessories 2nd gen only
23
Apr 12, 2008 01:11 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:34 PM.